BFS Fishing is a new kid to the game. Japan has brought us another awesome finesse tool to enhance the fishing experience.
What is BFS Fishing?
BFS stands for Bait Finesse System. They have taken casting gear to new levels of finesse. They have developed shallow spools that can throw light tackle without backlashing.
With these new baitcasting reels, people are fishing ultra-light lures for trout, panfish, and bass. Now you can fish 4-8 pound test line and cast 1/64 to 1/8 oz baits like a boss.
This new style of BFS Fishing allows for ultra-tiny jigs, worms, and crankbaits that you never could have before.
Why BFS Fishing?
For one BFS is super fun. Even small bass rip drag and fight like crazy.
Another one for me is that I feel like I have more control when fishing with casting gear and this opens up a new world of bass fishing with finesse gear for me.
I can throw the ultra-light baits that I used to throw on spinning gear without fishing spinning gear. I really prefer baitcasting gear and this just enhances my ability to fish light baits like the drop shot, finesse swimbaits, or inline spinners on BFS gear.
BFS Fishing can be Intimidating
When I finally got my hands on a BFS reel it was the Kastking Zephyr. The Shimano options weren’t available.
I was actually super nervous to cast it at first but was amazed at how I got it dialed in.
I took it smallmouth bass fishing and was throwing 4 1/2 inch zoom finesse worms weightless. I was amazed at the distance of my casts and caught a ton of fish.
That said, I was still hoping for a little more. I finally ordered a Shimano SLX BFS reel from Japan and oh boy, it’s so much better.
Get the Best Suggestion For BFS Reels Here
Get A Good BFS Rod Here for Bass
For the kind of BFS fishing for bass that I do I suggest a medium light rod like the one I linked to above.
BFS Fishing Experience
Like I said above I got a Shimano BFS reel. I couldn’t wait and spoiled it up. At first, it was braid to leader, but I was having some issues with the braid to leader knot dragging too much in my guides of my rod.
I switched to straight 6 lb fluoro and it is fantastic. I was throwing a 4” wacky rig stick bait and I got as much distance as I did on my spinning gear but with a baitcaster!
So dang cool. I was able to go to a river in the desert of Arizona and I had a blast catching bass. The drag is amazing and smooth and the drag-clicking option was actually enjoyable.
I have also fished small swimbaits with 1/16 oz heads and Texas rigs with Ned baits and 1/16 to 1/8 oz bullet weights.
With little to no effort, I can sling these baits as far as I need to with little effort while BFS fishing.
Another reason I love it is that I have carpal tunnel in my right wrist and fishing spinning gear causes me big issues.
Now I can fish right-handed casting gear with baits that were previously really hard to fish before.
This can be amazing for all of your finesse presentations where light line and baits are a must. You can throw your finesse worms, drop shot baits, tiny inline spinnerbaits, and micro swimbaits on casting gear.
To wrap it up… the Shimano upgrade is worth it if you’re serious about giving BFS Fishing a try.
To your BFS fishing success,
Jonathan Burke